UC-NRLF 


ERKELEY  LIBRARY 


K    F     C 

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1916 
DOCS 


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General  Order,  f^^r  ^ 

:^     No.  46.         y  ^  '  "^ 


Railroad  Commission, of  the  State  of  California. 

REGULATIONS  GOVERNING  THE  PROTECTION  AND  GUARDING  OF 
MOVING  MACHINERY.  POWER  TRANSMISSION  AND  OTHER 
MECHANICAL  EQUIPMENT,  LADDERS  AND  STAIRWAYS.  PLAT- 
FORMS,  PASSAGES   AND   OTHER   FACILITIES. 


Issued  Under  Authority  of  Section  42,  Public  Utilities  Act. 
Approved  May  S,  1916.     Effective  June  1,  1916. 


It  is  hereby  ordered  by  the  Railroad  Commission  of  the  State  of  Cali- 
fornia that  the  safety  regulations  hereinafter  prescribed  for  the  protec- 
tion and  guarding  of  moving  machinery,  power  transmission  and  other 
mechanical  equipment,  ladders  and  stairways,  platforms,  doors,  windows 
and  floor  openings,  hoistways  and  conveyors  and  other  equipment  and 
facilities  of  like  nature,  shall  hereafter  be  observed  by  public  utilities  in 
this  State  unless  otherwise  authorized  or  directed  by  this  Commission. 

1.  Gears. 

(a)  All  gears,  where  exposed  to  contact,  must  be  entirely  enclosed, 
or  equipped  with  side  flanges  extending  inward  beyond  the  root  of  the 
teeth.  -  ^ 

(b)  All  spoke  gears  and  open  web  gears,  which  are  over  eighteen  (18) 
inches  in  diameter,  where  exposed  to  contact,  must  be  entirely  enclosed. 
On  large  gears,  such  as  those  on  heavy  shears  and  punches,  the  guard 
must  be  such  as  to  cover  them  to  a  height  of  seven  (7)  feet  above  the 
floor. 

(c)  "Where  it  is  clearly  impracticable  to  cover  gears,  as  described 
above,  a  boxed  frame  of  metal  or  wood  must  be  installed,  completely 
shutting  off  the  machinery  gears. 

(d)  All  gear  guards  must  be  kept  in  place  while  the  machinery  is 
in  operation. 

2.  Belts. 

(a)  All  belts,  ropes  or  chaiil^^v^iljg;  machinery  or  shafting,  and  all 
secondar}^  belts,  ropes  or  clpins  where  e.\j^ge^k44icontact,  must  be 
guarded.  In  all  cases  the  point  where  the  heli,^pli^ncham  runs  onto 
the  pulley,  sheave  or  sproc^t,  if  yfmfyi^eren  (7)  feet/of  the  floor  or 
platform,  must  be  guarded^  '^/  ^         j 

Exception. — Belts  which  ar#«.aQ jMttl^]f^Q^I6Ha^^  moving  t*it  they  are  not  in 
any  way  a  source  of  danger.         ^^""^■•■Si^*//)'  nt  ^  I 

24315  ^*"<ii2Wl        / 


DOCUI/.ENTI 
OEPT. 

—  2  — 

(&)  All  horizontal  belts,  ropes  or  chains  driving  machinery  or  shaft- 
ing seven  (7)  feet  or  less  above  the  floor  or  platform,  where  exposed 
to  contact,  must  be  guarded.  All  overhead  belts  six  (6)  inches  or  more 
in  width  and  over  seven  (7)  feet  from  floor  or  platform,  must  be  guarded 
underneath  and  on  sides,  unless  so  guarded  that  persons  can  not  pass 
under  them.  All  chain  or  rope  drives  over  seven  (7)  feet  from  floor 
or  platform  must  be  guarded  in  like  manner  to  belts  over  six  (6)  inches 
in  width.  In  all  cases  the  guard  should  cover  the  outer  faces  of  the  two 
pulleys  or  sheaves  and  extend  upward  to  such  a  point,  and  be  attached 
in  such  a  way,  that  in  case  the  belt,  chain  or  rope  breaks,  the  guard  will 
withstand  the  whipping  force. 

(c)  Vertical  and  inclined  belts  must  be  substantially  guarded  as 
follows : 

If  the  guard  must  be  less  than  fifteen  (15)  inches  from  the  belt,  with 
a  complete  enclosure  of  wood  or  metal  to  a  height  of  six  (6)  feet  above 
the  floor. 

If  the  guard  can  be  placed  with  at  least  fifteen  (15)  inches  clearance 
from  the  belt,  with  a  two-rail  railing  at  least  three  and  one-half  (3^) 
feet  high. 

Note. — In  rooms,  or  parts  of  rooms,  used  exclusively  for  transmission  machinery, 
such  as  the  ground  floor  of  sawmills  and  the  basements  of  paper  mills  or  flour  mills, 
it  has  been  found  practical  to  define  certain  passageways  for  the  use  of  oilers  and 
millwrights,    and    to    guard    the   pulleys,    belts    and    shafts   along    these    passageways. 

3.  Pulleys. 

(a)  Pulleys  must  be  so  placed  as  to  allow  the  width  of  the  belt 
between  two  pulleys,  or  between  the  pulley  and  the  shaft  hanger  or 
bearing,  or  a  hook  must  be  provided,  or  a  guard  placed  adjacent  to  the 
pulley  to  prevent  the  belt  from  leaving  the  pulley. 

(&)  All  machines  must  be  equipped  with  a  loose  pulley  or  a  clutch 
or  some  other  adequate  means  of  stopping  the  machine  quickly. 

(c)  All  pulleys  or  parts  of  pulleys  within  seven  (7)  feet  of  the  floor 
must  be  guarded,  if  exposed  to  contact. 

4.  Clutches. 

(a)  All  clutches  must  be  completely  guarded  where  exposed. 

Note. — Practically  all  clutches  have  protruding  parts  which  malte  tliem  as 
dangerous  as  projecting  set  screws  on  shafting. 

5.  Belt  Shifters. 

(a)  A  permanent  belt  shifter  must  be  provided  for  all  loose  pulleys, 
and  must  be  located  within  easy  reach  of  the  operator.  The  construc- 
tion of  belt  shifters  must  be  such  as  to  make  it  impossible  for  the  belt 
to  creep  back  onto  the  tight  pulley.  All  belt  shifters  must  be  equipped 
with  a  lock  or  some  other  device  to  prevent  accidental  shifting. 


—  3  — 

6.  Shafting. 

(a)  All  transmission  shafting,  either  horizontal  or  vertical,  in  work- 
rooms or  in  passageways  leading  to  workrooms,  and  located  within  seven 
(7)  feet  of  the  floor  or  platform,  must  be  guarded. 

(h)  Dead  ends  of  shafts  less  than  seven  (7)  feet  from  the  floor  or 
platform,  or  wherever  exposed  to  contact,  must  be  guarded. 

7.  Set  Screws. 

(a)  All  projecting  set  screws  on  moving  parts  must  be  removed, 
countersunk  or  protected  by  a  solid  collar,  or  a  headless  set  screAv  must 
be  used.    No  part  of  the  set  screw  must  project  above  the  surface. 

8.  Sprockets. 

(a.)  All  sprockets  must  be  guarded,  if  exposed. 

9.  Flywheels. 

(This  applies  to  flywheels  of  machines  and  not  to  flywheels  of 
engines,  which  must  be  guarded  in  accordance  with  Safety  Orders  for 
Stationary  Engines.) 

All  parts  of  flywheels  with  spokes,  which  are  seven  (7)  feet  or  less 
above  the  floor,  must  be  guarded  as  follows : 

(a)  If  guard  is  at  least  fifteen  (15)  inches  in  the  clear  from  both 
sides  and  face  of  wheel,  a  fence  may  be  used  at  least  three  and  one-half 
(3|)  feet  high,  to  be  either  solid  or  of  substantially  supported  wire 
mesh  or  close  slats. 

(6)  If  guard  is  less  than  fifteen  (15)  inches  in  the  clear  from  both 
sides  and  face  of  Avheel,  a  fence  must  be  provided  at  least  five  (5)  feet 
high,  the  fencing  to  be  either  solid  or  of  substantially  supported  wire 
mesh  or  close  slats. 

Exception. — Flywheels  which  are  so  small  or  so  slow  moving  that  they  are  not 
in  any  way  a  source  of  danger. 

(c)  All  flywheel  pits  must  be  surrounded  with  a  toe-board  not  less 
than  six  (6)  inches  in  height. 

10.  Grinding  Wheels. 

(a)  "Where  practicable,  grinding  wheels  must  be  provided  with  a 
hooded  guard  of  sufficient  strength  to  withstand  the  shock  of  a  bursting 
wheel.  This  guard  must  be  adjusted  close  to  the  wheel  and  extend 
forward  over  the  top  of  the  wheel  to  a  point  at  least  thirty  (30)  degrees 
beyond  a  vertical  line  drawn  through  the  center  of  the  wheel. 
■    (6)   Arbor  ends  must  be  guarded. 


—  4  — 


(c)  Speed  of  wheels  must  not  exceed  the  speed  guaranteed  by  the 
manufacturer. 

(d)  AVheiH3  practicable,  grinding  wheels  must  be  provided  with  safety 
flanges. 

Note. — Wheels  should  be  handled  with  the  greatest  care  in  unpacking,  storing, 
delivering,  etc.,  and  should  never  be  left  standing  on  the  ground  or  wet  places.  Great 
care  should  be  used  in  mounting  wheels;  never  force  a  wheel  on  the  arbor.  It  is 
advisable  to  use  relieved  flanges,  compressible  washers  between  wheel  and  flange, 
and  to  obtain  a  perfect  bearing  at  the  outer  edge  of  the  flange.  Vibration  should 
be  avoided  at  all  times. 

TABLE    OF    GRINDING    WHEEL    SPEEDS. 


Diameter  of  wheel  in  inches 

Revolutions 
per  minute  for 
surface  speed 

of  4.000  feet 

Revolutions 
per  minute  for 
surface  siieed 

of  5.000  feet 

Revolutions 
per  minute  for 
surface  speed 

of  6,000  feet 

1     

15,279 

7,639 

5,093 

3,820 

3,056 

2,M6 

2,183 

1,910 

1,528 

1,273 

1,091 

955 

849 

764 

694 

637 

586 

546 

509 

477 

449 

424 

19,099 
9,549 
6,366 

4,775 

3,820 

3,183 

2,728 

2,387 

1,910 

1,592 

1,364 

1,194 

1,061 

955 

868 

796 

733 

683 

637 

596 

561 

531 

22,918 

2    .-      _    ..    -.    -.      .    -.    ._    

11,459 

3    _        -_-             _ 

7,639 

4    

5,730 

5    

4,584 

6    ..    -.      _    -_    ._ 

3,820 

7      _               __          _ 

3,274 

8 

2,865 

10    

2,292 

12 _    ..     ..     -_      _    ..     ..    

1,910 

14 

1,637 

16    

1,432 

18    

1,273 

20      -     __    —    -_      _            -    

1,146 

22            .          . 

1,042 

24    

955 

26    

879 

28    ._    __    _.    _.    -_    ._    __    __      ___ 

819 

30    _-     ..... 

764 

32    

716 

34    

674 

36    ..    ._    ._    ._    

G37 

The  revolutions  per  minute  at  which  wheels  are  run  is  dependent  on 
conditions,  and  in  actual  practice  wheels  are  run  at  surface  speeds  of 
from  4,000  to  6,000  feet  per  minute  up  to  as  high  as  7,500.  It  is  recom- 
mended that  for  most  grinding  operations  surface  speeds  should  not 
exceed  6,000  feet.  As  a  wheel  wears  down  the  speed  is  increased  to 
maintain  the  same  surface  speed,  and  great  care  must  be  exercised 
when  a  new  wheel  is  provided  to  avoid  overspeeding. 

11.    Ladders. 

(a)  All  movable  ladders  (except  substantial  stepladders)  must  be 
provided  with  either  sharp  points  at  the  foot  or  wide,  rough  surface 
feet,  or  other  effective  means  to  prevent  slipping.  Ladders  for  use  in 
oiling  overhead  shafting,  where  necessary  to  rest  same  on  the  shafting, 
must  be  arranged  to  hook  over  the  shafting. 


—  5  — 

12.  Stairways. 

All  stairways  must  be  equipped  with  handrails,  the  top  of  which  shall 
be  30  inches  vertically  from  the  nose  of  the  tread,  as  follows : 

(a)  "Where  the  stairway  is  not  built  next  to  a  wall  or  partition,  rails 
must  be  placed  on  both  sides. 

(&)  If  stairway  is  closed  on  both  sides,  at  least  one  handrail  must 
be  provided. 

(c)  If  width  is  greater  than  four  (4)  feet,  rails  must  be  provided  on 
each  side. 

{d)  If  width  is  eight  feet  or  greater,  rails  must  be  provided  on  each 
side  and  in  center  of  stairway,  except  in  cases  where  in  the  judgment 
of  the  Industrial  Accident  Commission  a  center  railing  would  be  im- 
practicable. 

(e)  All  stairways  must  be  properly  lighted  either  by  natural  or 
artificial  light. 

Note. — Stairways  should  not  be  built  at  a  sharper  angle  than  fifty  (50)  degrees. 
For  sharper  angles,   ladders   should  be   used   instead. 

13.  Platforms  and  Runways. 

(a.)  All  elevated  walks,  runways  or  platforms,  except  on  loading  or 
unloading  sides  of  platforms,  if  four  (4)  feet  or  more  from  the  floor 
level,  must  be  provided  with  a  two-rail  railing  not  less  than  three  and 
one-half  (3|)  feet  high.  If  height  exceeds  six  (6)  feet  above  floor  level, 
a  toe-board  must  be  provided  to  prevent  material  from  rolling  or  falling 
off. 

( h )  Wherever  permanent  elevated  platforms  are  in  frequent  use  they 
must  be  equipped  with  a  permanent  stairway  or  stationary  ladder. 

14.  Swinging  Doors — Windows. 

{a)  All  swinging  doors  in  stairways  and  all  doors  swinging  both  ways 
in  general  passageways  must  be  provided  with  windows.  One  window 
must  be  provided  for  each  section  of  double  swinging  doors.  Both  sides 
of  the  doors  must  be  provided  with  adequate  light,  either  natural  or 
artificial,  during  the  hours  of  active  operation  in  the  department  in 
which  said  swinging  doors  are  located.  The  windows  must  be  kept  free 
from  dirt  or  other  obstruction  to  the  vision. 

Note. — In  order  to  accommodate  boys  or  girls,  the  bottom  of  the  windows  should 
not  bo  more  tlian  forty-eight  inches  from  tlie  floor.  The  size  of  the  window  which  is 
recommended  should  be  not  less  than  eight  inches  by  twenty-four  inches.  Guards 
should  be  placed  over  the  window  to  protect  the  glass  from  being  broken  by  pro- 
truding parts  on  trucks,  etc. 

15.  Passages — Keep  Clear. 

(a)  All  passageway's  and  gangways  must  be  kept  clear  and  in  good 
repair  and  free  from  nails  or  obstructions  over  which  persons  may 
stumble  and  fall. 


—  6  — 

16.  Keys  and  Keyseats. 

(a)  All  projecting  keys  in  shafting,  where  exposed,  must  be  cut  off 
or  guarded,  and  all  keyseats  in  ends  of  shafts,  where  exposed,  must  be 
filled  flush  or  guarded. 

Exception. — When  in  the  opinion  of  the  Industrial  Accident  Commission  it  is 
impossible  to  fill  or  guard  the  keyseats  of  machines  without  interfering  with  the 
operation  of  the  machine. 

17.  Floor  Openingfs. 

(This  applies  to  any  floor  opening.) 

(a)  All  floor  openings  must  be  guarded  with  a  railing  not  less  than 
three  and  one-half  (3|)  feet  high,  having  a  toe-board  not  less  than  six 
(6)  inches  high,  and  an  additional  railing  midway  between  the  toe-board 
and  top  rail,  railings  to  be  constructed  in  a  safe  and  substantial  manner, 
of  either  pipe,  metal  work  or  wood.  One  or  more  sides  may  be  on 
hinges,  or  if  hinges  are  impracticable,  sockets  may  be  used. 

(6)  All  chutes  or  stairway  openings  which  can  not  be  guarded  as 
required  in  (a)  must  be  provided  with  a  hinged  cover,  which,  when  open, 
must  be  guarded  in  a  safe  and  substantial  manner. 

18.  Hoistways. 

(a)  Any  platform  outside  of  a  building,  or  any  opening  giving 
access  to  a  yard  arm,  used  for  the  purpose  of  hoisting  or  lowering  ma- 
terial by  tackle  or  other  means  from  one  level  to  another  (not  including 
platform  elevator)  must  be  guarded  according  to  standards  for  floor 
openings. 

19.  Conveyors. 

(a)  All  conve^'^ors  shall,  where  exposed  to  contact,  be  guarded.  If 
conveyor  runs  in  a  trough  within  three  (3)  feet  above  a  floor  level,  or 
just  below  a  floor  level,  it  shall  be  either  completely  covered  with  a 
substantial  lid,  or  enclosed  by  a  railing,  and  necessary  crossings  provided 
and  guarded. 

This  order  shall  be  effective,  as  to  all  equipment  and  facilities  to  be 
hereafter  installed,  on  and  after  June  1,  1916,  and  as  to  all  equipment 
and  facilities  heretofore  installed  this  order  shall  be  effective  on  and 
after  September  1,  1916. 

RAILROAD  COMMISSION  OF  THE  STATE 
OF  CALIFORNIA, 

By  Charles  R.  I^etrick,  Secretary. 


